When ranking forwards, you can compare points. When ranking defenders, you can look at plus/minus. When ranking goaltenders, there are goals-against and save percentage to help.

But when ranking fighters, what criteria can be used?

Sure, I can look through tons of fights on Youtube, which I did, and I can look at who has beaten who over the course of the season. But there have been so many fights and so many different winners, that it would take forever to sort through all of that.

While I did look at wins as a helpful statistic, I also used the number of scraps they have been in, the size of the fighter, and how often they fight to help in the ranking process.

This took quite a while, but when the dust settled and blood was drawn, these were the warriors left standing.

4. Matt Carkner

Carkner is 6’4” and 231 pounds of sheer muscle-enough said?

In 17 minutes of ice-time, it might not be a lot for a defenseman, but it’s the most out of any player on this list. And as far as Carkner’s defensive qualities go, his size helps quite a bit. He is only a minus-one on the season.

But he isn’t on this list because he is a Norris Trophy candidate, he is on it because he has 21 fights in 73 games.

Carkner is as strong as they come, and if you don’t believe me, then just watch this beatdown of Vancouver’s Tanner Glass:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzbsvO6TECM

Carkner proves that his opponent certainly has a “glass” jaw (I couldn’t help myself).